by | Apr 10, 2014 | Orthodontic Treatments
Can Orthodontic Expanders be used on the Lower Teeth to Avoid Extractions?
Not everyone has enough room in his or her mouth to accommodate all 32 teeth perfectly. In order for teeth to grow in a healthy manner, sufficient space often needs to be created for those people who do suffer from the problem of overcrowding. There are two ways that an orthodontist can use to make space available in your mouth. The first is through tooth extraction and the second through jaw expansion.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction can take place on just about anyone, but the expander device can be used if the mid-palatal suture is not fully mature and can be stretched. This is normally possible for children who have not yet reached 15 years of age. The two parts of the suture may be separated slowly through the minimal activation of expansion screws, which make up part of the expander. When a space appears in between the teeth, at the front, this is an assurance that the expander is doing its job
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Lower Arch Expansion
Expansion on the lower arch presents more problems as there is no suture which is near to the teeth which can be expanded. An expander does not have to be used for the lower arch, but “uprighting” is an alternative method that can be utilized for expanding your lower jaws. This technique takes place through the tipping off of the teeth in the direction of the cheeks. The gaps that are formed in the lower arch occur due to the moving of the teeth and not bone movement. The process of tipping off the teeth is not a problem but there must be enough gums and bones positioned around the roots for this procedure to be used.
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by | Mar 27, 2014 | Orthodontic Treatments
Are There Alternatives to Having Teeth Removed for Braces?
When you realize that the only way you or your child are ever going to get straight teeth is by visiting an orthodontist for an evaluation, then you will want to know answers to certain key questions. The main ones that Dr. Demas at Team Demas Orthodontics is asked are about the treatment time, the costs associated with the treatment, whether tooth extractions will be necessary and if headgear needs to be worn.
When it comes to the extraction of teeth, this will depend on how severe the crowding is. Removing one or other of your teeth might be necessary. If the underlying bone’s shape and size is insufficient, retaining all teeth would mean your teeth would stick out more noticeably. It could also result in recession, which is gum loss or dehiscence, which is bone loss.
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by | Mar 20, 2014 | Orthodontic Treatments
Do Orthodontic Braces Cause White Spots on Teeth?
White spots that appear on the surface of your teeth are signs that these areas are going through a process of losing their mineral content. They are usually small pockets just under the surface which are caused by the presence of dental plaque. Cavities are caused in this way, too.
How are white spots formed?
What appears as white, chalky marks on the surface of the tooth occur when acids formed from the plaque dissolve minerals. This process alters the manner in which the surface reflects light. White spots are often located in areas which are difficult to brush which include between the gums and the brackets. White spots can often develop beneath gum tissue that has become swollen making detection more difficult. It is only when the braces have been removed and the swelling has subsided that detection is possible.
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by | Mar 13, 2014 | Orthodontic Treatments
Five Tips for Caring for Your Braces during Orthodontic Treatment
Braces do offer new challenges when they are putting your teeth on to the road of an attractive smile. Oral hygiene is one of those challenges that need attention for the duration of the pursuit of your dream smile. At the best of times, preventing tooth decay can be difficult for many – particularly brushing and flossing those teeth tirelessly twice a day, every day of the year. If you are good at that any way, then it will not be so hard to adjust to the need to care for your braces
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by | Mar 6, 2014 | Orthodontic Treatments
Why Should You Keep Braces On?
Fixed braces are the commonest kind of orthodontic appliances used and they are fitted in place with a purpose in mind and that is to straighten the teeth. They are designed to remain in place until the job they have been set out to do has been accomplished.
The braces works in such a way that the wires that are attached to the teeth exert a small amount of force on the teeth through the use of brackets so that they will move into a position that ensures the teeth are straighter. The brackets are glued to the teeth using orthodontic glue and then the wires are affixed with elastic rings to the brackets.
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by | Feb 27, 2014 | Orthodontic Treatments
When is the right time for an orthodontic check-up?
People often wonder when they should first go for an orthodontic check-up. The American Association of Orthodontists has a simple answer to this question as they recommend that a child should pay his or her first visit to an orthodontist at 7 years of age.
This magic age of 7 has been earmarked as it is when the child is starting to gain a combination of both baby and permanent teeth. An early visit to the orthodontist will reveal any problems that are currently affecting the teeth. Once the baby teeth have all been lost and there is an underlying problem emerging, the permanent teeth may be at risk of damage later on. At a first consultation, the jaw and its relationship to the jawbone are closely scrutinized too.
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